Niagara ON, June 12, 2024 – This school year is almost finished but United Way staff are already prepping for next year. It takes a lot of planning and preparation to coordinate the packing and distribution of more than 2,500 backpacks filled with school supplies, which is why United Way starts in the winter months.

Every year, United Way Niagara supplies and packs thousands of backpacks full of school supplies to ensure that every child in Niagara has the tools they need to succeed. The initiative has many moving parts – from sourcing the best products and the best prices, surveying schools and agencies to make the best decisions on what goes inside and figuring out where they all go – United Way runs the largest backpack program in Niagara.

Every year, United Way Niagara supplies and packs thousands of backpacks full of school supplies to ensure that every child in Niagara has the tools they need to succeed.

Schools make requests for the number of backpacks they will need based on their knowledge of the families at each school. Requests range anywhere from 5-50, depending on the school. Agencies also benefit from United Way’s backpacks program with hundreds heading off to be distributed by organizations like Project Share, Community Care St. Catharines and Fort Erie Friendship Centre.

The majority of the bags are given to families directly, and discreetly, by their school principals.

Thanks to great relationships with suppliers, the cost per backpack to United Way is just $15. But with 2,400 backpacks going out, the program still carries a large price tag.

The initiative is a one-day packing blitz in late August, happening for the second year at the Beatties warehouse on Vansickle Ave. United Way is grateful for this essential partnership, utilizing the receiving area, trucks for delivery, and warehouse equipment to move skids of products where they are needed. The bags are packed by Algoma Central Corporation volunteers and shipped same-day to school board offices for distribution.

Thanks to great relationships with suppliers, the cost per backpack to United Way is just $15. But with 2,400 backpacks going out, the program still carries a large price tag. (roughly $36,000). Support for the Backpacks for Kids program is always welcome as it is run separately from our annual campaign and requires additional funding. Annual campaign revenue supports United Way’s multi-year funding commitments (full list of funded partners here: https://www.unitedwayniagara.org/community-investment/)

If you would like to support Backpacks for Kids you can donate online and note ‘backpacks’ in the note field or call us at 905-688-5050.

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